Approved Research
Research on the prognostic impact of various metabolic factors on chronic liver disease and liver cancer to explore novel therapeutic targets.
Lay summary
Our research project aims to demonstrate the critical role of metabolic factors in chronic liver disease and liver cancer, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and advancing personalized medicine. Chronic liver disease and liver cancer pose significant health challenges worldwide, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Despite advancements in understanding these conditions, effective treatments remain limited. This research project seeks to unravel the complex relationship between metabolic factors and liver diseases, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets. The scientific rationale behind this study is rooted in recent evidence indicating that metabolic dysfunction, including insulin resistance, obesity, and altered lipid metabolism, plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of liver diseases. These metabolic perturbations can lead to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and eventually, liver cancer. By exploring the link between metabolic factors and disease outcomes, we hope to identify early indicators of disease progression, enabling clinicians to tailor personalized treatment plans for patients. We plan to analyze a large-scale cohort from the UK Biobank, integrating various datasets such as clinical data, liver imaging studies, and genetic analysis. Using advanced statistical methods, we will examine how metabolic factors influence the occurrence and prognosis of different liver diseases. Our analyses will identify key metabolic biomarkers associated with disease outcomes, providing valuable insights for risk stratification and personalized treatment strategies. In addition to clinical data, our research will focus on genetic alterations that regulate metabolic factors in liver disease. By performing genetic analysis, we aim to uncover specific genetic variants associated with metabolic dysregulation and their potential implications for liver disease progression. Understanding these molecular mechanisms could pave the way for the development of innovative therapies and targeted treatments. The expected public health impact of this research is substantial. By identifying specific metabolic factors that influence liver disease outcomes, our study aims to contribute to the development of more effective treatments, potentially reducing the burden of liver diseases on individuals and healthcare systems. Early identification of patients at higher risk of disease progression could lead to timely interventions, improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Overall, this research project seeks to unravel the intricate interplay between metabolic factors and liver diseases, offering insights that could significantly benefit public health. By advancing our understanding of these complex diseases, we aim to investigate the way for targeted and personalized approaches to liver disease treatment.